BIOS

'Prince of Pot' and his wife denounce crackdown on marijuana users

Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press
Published Friday, April 21, 2017 1:25PM EDT

TORONTO - Canada's self-proclaimed "Prince of Pot" and his wife say they shouldn't be facing criminal charges when the federal government has promised to make marijuana legal next year.

Marc and Jodie Emery railed against what they described as an ongoing police crackdown on marijuana users after making a brief appearance in court on drug-related charges.

Speaking outside court, Jodie Emery said people like them, who have harmed no one, should not face prison time.

The couple, which owns the Cannabis Culture brand, was arrested last month in Toronto after police raided seven Cannabis Culture locations along with two homes in Toronto, one in Stoney Creek, Ont., and one in Vancouver.

They were granted bail with several conditions, including a prohibition on possessing or consuming marijuana and other drugs except with prescription, a ban on attending any Cannabis Culture location or other dispensary, as well as facilitating or participating in the operation of any Cannabis Culture location.

At Friday's hearing, prosecutors filed updated charges against the Emerys.